The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Ryabkov, has claimed that the United States is pressuring Turkish Airlines to deny flights to Russian travellers headed to Mexico.
His allegations follow complaints from Moscow’s embassy in Türkiye last week, stating that Russian passengers were unfairly denied boarding on Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul to Latin American countries, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to Reuters, Ryabkov made such comments in a statement for the TASS news state agency, although he did not present any evidence to support his allegations.
It (reason) lies in the pressure that is exerted on the authorities of this country by Washington.
Furthermore, a confidential source told Reuters that Turkish Airlines suspects individuals of flying to Latin America with the intention of crossing the US border. The source added that the majority of Russians denied boarding were headed to Mexico.
Meanwhile, Artur Muradyan, VP for international tourism at the Russian Association of Tour Operators, said that Turkish Airlines was somehow “pressured, persuaded, or intimidated” to enforce such regulations.
I think they are under pressure from the US to do this.
Reuters’ sources further stated that over the past 2-3 months, up to 1,000 Russian travellers were denied boarding on flights departing from Istanbul Airport to various destinations in Latin America.
Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Ankara criticized the practice in multiple statements this week, though they did not specify when it began or how many passengers were affected.
According to the embassy, airline staff cited restrictions from destination countries, such as requiring a valid hotel booking or proof of return ticket, as reasons for denying passengers.
Turkish Airlines Denies Boarding for 10 Passengers Headed to South America
In March 2024, Turkish Airlines refused to board ten passengers travelling to Argentina and Brazil, citing reasons such as lack of luggage on some occasions while providing no explanation at other times.
As further reported, the Turkish national airline denied Russian nationals from boarding flights from Istanbul to South American destinations, including Buenos Aires and refused to refund their tickets. In some cases, people with work visas were also temporarily denied from boarding.
About 73,000 Russians Attempt Entry Into US via Southern Border Crossings in Two Years
Customs and Border Protection data reveal that over the past two years, about 73,000 Russians have attempted to enter the US through official southern border crossings.
This notable surge in migration follows the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.